Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1302. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of including a companion pass rather than a spousal pass for all those in receipt of a free travel pass; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41669/22]
View answerThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are approximately 1,034,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
It is not possible for my Department to provide an estimate of the cost of the measure outlined by the Deputy. The additional cost to the scheme would depend on factors including the number of journeys made using the companion free travel pass, the prevailing fares, and the type of journeys undertaken, i.e., rail, bus or Luas.
The Free Travel Companion Pass scheme was introduced in 1990 for persons who qualify for the Free Travel scheme and who, on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone. It enables a person 16 years of age or over to accompany the pass holder free of charge. Therefore, the measure outlined by the Deputy would change the nature of the companion pass as it would no longer be issued only to those who on account of their disability, are unable to travel alone and would allow people who require no assistance when travelling to have anyone over 16 years of age to accompany them.
The implementation of this measure would also require that people who qualify for a single travel pass be issued with a companion type travel pass which would result in further additional costs to the free travel scheme.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
